AS WITH ALL MY CACHES THEY ARE FAIRLY EASY TO OPEN WITH A LITTLE THOUGHT SO PLEASE PLEASE DO NOT FORCE THEM
December 8th, 1919 saw the first trees planted by the newly created Forestry Commission right here, in Flashdown Wood, part of the old Eggesford Estate. By 1956 the Commission had planted one million acres of woodland, an occasion commemorated by a granite stone unveiled by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s Stone can still be seen in Hilltown Woods picnic area. All trains must stop at Eggesford Station, as the local landowner made it a condition of releasing the land to build the railway in 1854. The scenery here is lovely and the house very handsome." So wrote Thomas Hardy of the area, in 1885. The forest itself possesses some magnificent Douglas fir, including a veteran on the Eggesford Estate, planted in around 1840. There is also a motte and bailey castle, a scheduled ancient monument that is all that remains of a once imposing Norman fort.
You will find ample parking at the start of this series and I would estimate it to take you approx 2-3hrs to complete. Possibly longer depending on how quick your finds are. You will at certain times of the year need decent footwear as parts of the footpaths can get quite muddy and slippery after prolonged rain.
Anyone who has done my previous trails may recognize this one as it has been rebuilt and replaced here after totally being destroyed in its original location. By who and for what reason i still don't know
As the GPS is a little wayward to find this one head back towards Can You Log This Tree from Fern Is Guarding This One and take the track on your left heading down towards the river.
As you reach a bend in the track your GPS should send you off to the right into the woods.From here you must use your cachers eye to get your smiley reward.
Contains the log and room for a few small swaps and discretion will be needed as it may be engaged.